Zika rules: Broward County school officials are considering changing district policy to fight the spread of the Zika virus. Under the emergency rules, students would be permitted to bring certain insect repellent wipes and lotions to school. The school board will vote on the measure Sept. 7. Sun-Sentinel.
Retention venue: The state and six school districts being sued over the state's third-grade retention policies have until 3 p.m. today to file arguments to the First District Court of Appeal for a change of venue. The defendants want the case to be decided locally, not in Leon County. Leon Judge Karen Gievers has presided over two hearings, and is expected to rule soon. The parents who brought the suit are arguing that whether a student passes or takes the state test should not be the primary criteria for promotion to the fourth grade. Gradebook.
Corporal punishment: More than 109,000 U.S. students were physically punished at school in 2013-14, according to an Education Week Research Center analysis of federal civil rights data. Twenty-one states, including Florida, still allow corporal punishment. About 2 percent of Florida's students attend a school that uses physical punishment. Education Week. WTSP and the Associated Press.
Pledge form: Florida Department of Education officials say the Leon County School District went "above and beyond" the legal requirements to notify students that they can opt out of saying the Pledge of Allegiance at school. Tallahassee Democrat.
Closed captioning: The Florida Department of Education will begin offering closed captioning on the Florida Standards Assessments language arts tests for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. starting with the make-up exams in October. Orlando Sentinel. (more…)
Charter schools: A report by the Pew Charitable Trusts shows that the number of charter schools opening in Florida grew at a rate of 12.7 percent per year from 2010-2014, third fastest among 16 states surveyed. The annual closing rate between 2009-2013 was 3.9 percent, the fourth highest. The report compares Pennsylvania charter schools governance with 15 other states. The Notebook.
School threats: Experts say school threats across the United States are rising rapidly - up 158 percent from Aug. 1-Dec. 31, 2014 over the same period in 2013. About 70 percent were bomb or shooting threats. Florida got 43, fifth most in the country. NBC 6 News. Palm Beach School Superintendent Robert Avossa is unhappy with Park Vista High's handling of a threat scribbled on a school wall, and has told all principals to alert parents when any threat is discovered, even if the threat isn't thought to be credible. Palm Beach Post.
Privacy bill: State Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee, files a bill that would protect Florida's K-12 students from websites that mine personal information. Florida Politics.
Every Child Succeeds Act: State Sen. John Legg, R-Lutz, chairman of the Senate Education Committee, says he's still going through the Every Child Succeeds Act, the recently passed successor to the No Child Left Behind Act, but thinks the law's effects in 2017 will be substantial. WUSF.
New high schools: Lee County commissioners have taken land in a conservation area off the list of potential sites for a new high school in Bonita Springs. Naples Daily News. A survey of Manatee County residents shows they want a new high school, with the preferred location north of the Manatee River. Bradenton Herald.
Superintendent race: With more than 10 months to go before the election for Nassau school superintendent, State Rep. Janet Adkins of Fernandina Beach has raised almost $65,000 compared to just over $34,000 by her opponent, school board member Kathy Knight Burns. Both are Republicans. Florida Politics.
Deal benefits schools: Public schools in the neighborhoods around the Citrus Bowl will receive money from a partnership between Florida Citrus Sports and the College Football Playoff Foundation. Orlando Sentinel. (more…)
